Psalm 17

Prayer for Deliverance from Persecutors

A Prayer of David.1 Hear a just cause, O Lord; attend to my cry; give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit.
2 From you let my vindication come; let your eyes see the right.

3 If you try my heart, if you visit me by night, if you test me, you will find no wickedness in me; my mouth does not transgress.
4 As for what others do, by the word of your lips I have avoided the ways of the violent.
5 My steps have held fast to your paths; my feet have not slipped.

6 I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God; incline your ear to me, hear my words.
7 Wondrously show your steadfast love, O saviour of those who seek refuge from their adversaries at your right hand.

<<

>>

John 18:12-27

Jesus before the High Priest

12 So the soldiers, their officer, and the Jewish police arrested Jesus and bound him.
13First they took him to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year.
14Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it was better to have one person die for the people.

Peter Denies Jesus

15 Simon Peter and another disciple followed Jesus. Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest,
16but Peter was standing outside at the gate. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out, spoke to the woman who guarded the gate, and brought Peter in.
17The woman said to Peter, You are not also one of this mans disciples, are you? He said, I am not.
18Now the slaves and the police had made a charcoal fire because it was cold, and they were standing round it and warming themselves. Peter also was standing with them and warming himself.

The High Priest Questions Jesus

19 Then the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and about his teaching.
20Jesus answered, I have spoken openly to the world; I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all the Jews come together. I have said nothing in secret.
21Why do you ask me? Ask those who heard what I said to them; they know what I said.
22When he had said this, one of the police standing nearby struck Jesus on the face, saying, Is that how you answer the high priest?
23Jesus answered, If I have spoken wrongly, testify to the wrong. But if I have spoken rightly, why do you strike me?
24Then Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.

Peter Denies Jesus Again

25 Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. They asked him, You are not also one of his disciples, are you? He denied it and said, I am not.
26One of the slaves of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, Did I not see you in the garden with him?
27Again Peter denied it, and at that moment the cock crowed.